Samuel s



(No Model.)

S. S. WILLIAMSON.

BUSTLE.

Patented Feb. 21, 1888.

R 0 T HM N w 5 ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATEN rrion.

SAMUEL S. WILLIAMSON, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THCMAS P. TAYLOR, OF SAME PLACE.=

BUSTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,187, dated February 21, 1888.

Application filed November 17, 1887. Serial No. 255,413. (No model.)

at Fig. 2, are passed through the loops and, in 45 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. WILLIAM- son, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bustles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertain's to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in bustles, and the object thereof is to produce a bustle which shall be cheap and-simple in its construction, which shall in its essential parts be entirely of wire, said wire beingso wrought that as short a length as possible shall be employed, whereby stock is economized; and with these ends in view my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements, which will hereinafter be fully set forth, and then recited in the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may fully understand my device and how to make the same, I will describe it in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved bustle; Fig. 2, a similar View, but showing the properly-bent wire prior to bringing the ends together and securing them; and Fig. 3, a detail modification of a loop.

Like figures of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 represents the waistband or belt, and 2 the spaoingtape. The distendingbows, numbered 3 4 5 6 7, are formed from a single length of wire, bent at the corners of the bustle into spring-loops 8, said wire being carried across backward and forward until as many bows are made as are required to produce a bustle of the proper size. At either end of the length of wire I prefer to form hooks 9, which, as shown conjunction with the lacing-cord 10, serve to keep the bustle in shape. Said hooks are not essential, however, as the cord is entirely adequate to retain the bustle in assembled and op erative form.

The resilient action of the hustle is obtained from the loops, which, when the bows are collapsed up'ward, receive tension therefrom. When the bows are released,the spring of the loops throws said bows downward and restores the bustle to its normal position. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the wires of the loops as crossed. I do not, however, desire to be limited to such construction. The loops can, as shown by the detail, Fig. 3, be equally as we] bent up without crossing the wires.

It will be observed that the entire length of wire used in the construction of this bustle goes to make up the distending bows, saving only the little which is utilized in the loops. There are no side stays and no crossed wire sections or braces which could in any way irritate or injure the wearer.

I claim- In a bustle, the combination, with a suitable waistband and check-tape, of a series of radial distending bows extending'from one lower corner of the bustle to the other lower corner of the bustle, a plurality of springloops arranged at said lower corners, said loops interposed one between the meeting ends of each two bows and connected to and affording resilient action for said bows, and a lacing-cord whereby the looped ends of the bows are secured and retained in their assembled operative position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL S. WVILLIAMSON.

Witnesses:

S. H. HUBBARD, H. G. Emma 

